Hello children,
Today we will be sharing with you something new and exciting! From this week we will be featuring children just like you who have done amazing things for their young age. We hope you will be inspired by these young heroes to chase after your own dreams and make them a reality. Keep in mind that you are just as special as these children and have lots of talent; you just have to keep trying and giving your best to achieve the results you want.
In today’s issue we will be featuring an up-and-coming young cricket star, Miyuru Bandara. This young champ is making his way into many headlines across the island and is the under 13 cricket captain of D.S Senanayake College.
The Junior Observer spoke to Miyuru to find out about his cricket life and achievements.
Let’s have a little chat with Miyuru.
Q: Tell me something about yourself and your family?
A: My name is H.B. Miyuru Admina Bandara and I live in Athurugiriya. I study in grade ten at D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo. My father is Bandula Wickramarathne. And my mother is Jeewani Baddegama. I am the only child in my family. They help and encourage me a great deal in my cricket career.
Q: How did you get a desire for cricket?
A: My father says I loved to play cricket since I was three years old. At the age of five, I watched an IPL match on TV; since then, I have had a desire to become a cricketer.
Q: How did your cricket career start?
A: I first played cricket for Sussex College, Malabe and since 2022 I have been the captain of D.S. Senanayake College, Under-13 cricket. I am an all-rounder. I can bat and bowl with my left and right hands, but mainly I am a right-hand batsman. I can play drive shots well.
Q: Who helps you in achieving your goals?
A: My parents, my head coach Yomal Sanjeewa and my assistant coaches Kasun Sandaruwan and Anjana Kaluaarachchi have assisted me in achieving my goals. They are my mentors and I look up to them for support and guidence.
My school principal, teachers, and friends have also helped me tremendously towards making my goals a reality.
Q: Tell me about your performances in the field so far?
A: I performed in the 2024 Under-13 A School Cricket tournament, organised by the Sri Lanka School Cricket Association, with 772 runs with 5 centuries (4 innings not out) and got 19 wickets. In the year 2023, I scored 3 centuries and got 29 wickets in the tournament.
In an academic tournament, I scored 3 double centuries and 174 runs.
We were joint champions in the under-13 Division 1 of the Inter School Cricket Tournament against Royal College, Colombo.
Q: Who is your role-model in the cricket world?
A: I like Kusal Mendis and Virat Kohli.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: My hobbies are playing badminton, drawing, and playing the flute.
Q: What is your future ambition?
A: I want to play cricket well and bring glory to my school and my country.
Q: What words of encouragement do you have for your Junior Observer readers?
A: When we try to achieve our dreams we face many obstacles. Don’t back down from them and strive towards your goals and conquer them.
With his Assistant Coach and team mates. Pix: Dushmantha Mayadunne
